As I write this blog I can’t help but think about how important it is to take care of yourself, body and soul, by taking an escape from the uncertainties that life can throw at us. It feels amazing to finally plan and enjoy a relaxing oceanfront getaway. We hope your dream trip will soon become a reality, just as ours was this Summer.

Having made numerous trips to the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii and more we’ve always had Turks and Caicos (TCI) on our bucket list. Hearing from trusted friends about the perfect turquoise waters and white sand beaches, exceptional food, endless activities and friendly people we finally booked it. And once there we left asking ourselves…why? Why did we wait so long to experience this gem of a destination?

See why we absolutely fell in love with TCI and can’t wait to return!

With 8 days and a promise to my family to not overbook activities and tours this will may be the ultimate to-do list, but as we usually do, we’ll offer our favorite experiences to help you plan your getaway…and we welcome your comments to fill in any gaps…and help us plan our return trip!

Grace Bay. There may not be a more perfect beach in the Caribbean. Protected by the world’s third largest barrier reef (second only to Australia and Belize), the calm clear water and white sand is simply perfect. Not much more needs to be said, beyond adding that several fantastic snorkeling spots are available right from its shores including Smith’s Reef and Coral Gardens. Long lazy days moving from lounge chair to water, playing with tropical fish that swim right up to you and lounging on a float is what a tropical vacation is all about.

Where we stayed. Waking up every morning to swaying palms set against clear turquoise water is guaranteed to soothe the soul. Knowing we wanted to be oceanfront on Grace Bay, led us to an array of choices, and a range of prices…from small boutique hotels to sprawling family-friendly Beaches to the luxury of Ritz-Carlton. For us – a family of six adults (including grown children), we needed to find a balance of the amenities we wanted at a reasonable cost. So we opted for well-priced all-inclusive. Now, this is something we rarely (if ever) will do…in our opinion, not experiencing local cuisine is a big sacrifice. So, within our itinerary we knew certain nights we’d venture off-property. The Turks and Caicos Collection provided just what we needed. Complete access to two luxury resorts for the price of one.

The Alexandra. Perfectly situated right on Grace Bay, this totally laid back resort has a real ‘island’ vibe…wooden decks overlooking the beach, sunset views, and well-manicured gardens. 6 restaurants (though some would use the same location, just switch the theme on different nights) and 3 bars. The super-friendly staff makes you feel right at home. The room itself was very nice, featuring a huge balcony large enough for 4 lounge chairs and a dining table.

The Blue Haven. The Turks and Caicos Collection sister property was available for us to use, (including restaurants) doubling the resort amenities in a truly spectacular setting. The tranquil atmosphere felt a world away, yet easily accessed by a frequent free shuttle. This newer resort on the Leeward side has a completely different vibe…open and spacious, the spare landscaping afforded views of nothing but boardwalks and palm trees that gives it a simple elegance perfect for long, quiet lazy days.

Set on the channel across from Mangrove Key, the property is flanked by two long piers extending from the marinas. There’s a small but beautiful infinity pool and swim up bar where we found the best bartender serving amazing pool drinks, including a fantastic dirty monkey (banana mudslide).

What we did. Apart from the aforementioned beach lounging we planned several unforgettable excursions, each of them led flawlessly by exceptional local guides.

Snorkeling and diving. For us, it isn’t a vacation to the tropics without being on and in the water. TCI boasts a world-class diving and snorkeling reef system that is quite healthy and teeming with life.

We booked a fantastic half-day excursion with Caicos Dream Tours to the main barrier reef, on a perfect sunny day on perfectly calm waters complete with reggae music and plenty of rum punch.

We also were able to snorkel right from the beach…trekking about a mile to Coral Gardens, part of the Princess Alexandra National Park. This very pretty reef was easily accessible and guided by underwater ‘trail markers’.

Scuba diving. Our adventurous daughters got up close to the island’s 14-mile barrier reef. Our youngest started with a pool instruction and was then got experience to two guided dives the next day.

She felt perfectly taken care of by the instructor and got up close to parrot fish, grouper, rays, eels and more. Our more experienced daughter who has made dives all around the world remarked that the clear waters provided exceptional visibility, rivaling anywhere she’d ever been.

Iguana Island. A very special stop on the snorkel trip gave us an hour to spot the local inhabitants crawling over the sparse vegetation. The amazing views across the salt flats are absolutely stunning here. We sat (and stumbled…it isn’t as flat as it looks) in less than a foot of crystal clear waters, taking tons of pictures to capture this incredible landscape.

Wake2Wake. For a special birthday our daughter researched and planned a day on the water with this awesome tour company, who gave our family a day to remember, jam-packed full of excitement and adventure.

Our fist stop was at The Shipwreck, where the adventurous members of our family (including me!), climbed the rusty ladder to jump over 12 feet into the Caribbean. This is one where I say ‘I’m glad I did it!’.

Next was a ride on Big Mable. We had seen this ride from the shore on Grace Bay and it looked tame enough. Well, not with Wake2Wake and the powerful speedboat we were on. Our driver zigged and zagged until each pair of riders was sent flying out of their seat!

Noah’s Ark. One of the coolest bar settings anywhere. Somewhere in the middle of the turquoise sea sits a ‘floating’ tiki and snack bar that is only accessible by boat. Pull up for a run punch and walk out 25 yards to a table in waist-deep water with a view like you’ve never seen. Amazing!

Wake-surfing. This was actually the main activity planned for the excursion. All the ‘kids’ got a try and we even got a demo from our Captain. This day was all sun and fun, and we’ll highly recommend W2W.

Clear-bottom Kayaking. Paddling across from Leeward Beach to Mangrove Key we had a fantastic day exploring the protected wildlife inhabiting the meandering channels. It was so awesome to experience up close encounters with dozens of sea turtles passed right below our boats. Paddling alongside lemon sharks, conch ‘hunting’ and fish spotting was amazing and interesting, led by our informative and entertaining guide Tristan. We’re happy to provide another great recommendation for My Time Tours.

Eats and drinks. As mentioned, having the all-inclusive we took advantage of most meals at our resort(s). The food was really good and there was certainly plenty of it…an array of choices from local fish, sushi, jerk chicken and pork…and the all-day pizza became a happy hour ritual. Adding to that, we’ve listed a few can’t-miss highlights when we ventured out:

Da Conch Shack. Let’s call this the ultimate beach party with a full island menu.

As one loves to dine on conch, this was the ultimate…cracked, grilled, salad, ceviche, burger or fritter. Plus plenty of other choices from land or sea and every drink is available by the pitcher.

Once the Junkanoo band marches in the party starts, complete with fire-eaters and a late night DJ that packed the dance floor.

Somewhere. Oceanfront dining on Grace Bay in front of Coral Gardens reef. This laid back beach bar serves up a Mexican/Caribbean fusion not to be missed

Try coconut and banana pancakes for breakfast or amazing conch tacos for lunch…with a view to take your breath away.

Castaways. This super-casual restaurant brings the beach vibe to the center of town. Take a shopping break under an umbrella and enjoy the local fare.

The Lobby Bar at the Ritz-Carlton. Treat yourself to the quiet, upscale experience of a cool refreshing drink, sushi bar and everything you’d expect from this luxury resort.

The Fish Fry. Every Thursday night tourists mix with locals at this outdoor festival for the best local cuisine and local artists selling their crafts amidst a raucous backdrop of non-stop live music. This is an event not to be missed!

Turks Head Brewery. Though we didn’t actually make it to the brewery itself, we surely consumed a fair amount of this awesome local brew. With quirky names like ‘I Soon-Reach’ (light), I-Ain-Gan-Lie (lager) Gon-Ta-Nort (amber) and Down-Da-Road (IPA) the brews were an exceptional way to cool off in the hot sun.

So, with all that said how do you sum up an unforgettable trip to tropical paradise? Words will certainly fall short…but we’ll remember the crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sand beaches, swaying palms, island cuisine, tropical drinks and adventures on and beneath the sea. Do your heart and soul a huge favor and take a trip to paradise…soon!

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